Funding for the program is supposed to come from every convicted offender who is or will be able to pay:

$30 for a petty misdemeanor$55 for misdemeanor$105-$505 for a felony

It is critical funding because it is matched by federal money.

In recent years, there has been a problem in getting courts to tack on the required fee to all offender sentences. In a number of those cases, the fees are waived.

"This is the lowest year in a decade of revenue for the compensation fee. That really jeopardizes our ability to ensure victims in the future will have enough money to pay for their crime-related expenses," said Pamela Ferguson-Brey, the executive director for the commission.

In 2013, the commission paid out nearly $780,000 in compensation claims, but in some years, $1 million dollars might be needed for victims.

"When we fall short, we've had to reduce the amount of payments in certain categories," said Ferguson-Brey.

Compensation for lost wages has been cut, and funeral expenses reduced for those killed in a violent crime.

The commission is pushing for judges to assess the mandatory fees, and for the judiciary to make sure those fees are collected.

"Victims are often invisible in the criminal justice system, and they need to move to the forefront," said Ferguson-Brey.

Victims of violent crimes can receive the compensation, even if there is no conviction or offender identified in their case. To be eligible, the incident has to be reported to police and the commission itself.

Victims of violent crimes in Hawaii are meant to be compensated for their pain, suffering and out-of-pocket expenses. But are they being robbed by our judical system? KITV 4's Paul Drewes takes a look. 10 124 131 jason tape@13:38 At the sex abuse treatment center, Dr. Evie Yanagida and her counselors have seen a wide range of victims come in for help. 10:32-10:49 "Its very different from a burglary where someone steals your camera or your car, in sex assault you are really taking a piece of that person." file footage of street walkers From sex-trafficked victims, to women or children sexually assaulted or raped, the effects of the personal attacks can be devastating. 2:55-3:06 "some of the victims come in with physical injuries that may heal in days or weeks but the psychological impact of an assault can be devastating and last for years" Therapy may be just one of many expenses victims of violent crimes face.. And costs can quickly add up. 17:00 "nat of phone, good morning, this is crime victims compensation this is paul, how may I help you?" file of medical stuff The crime victim compensation commission tries to reduce the financial impact of violent crimes by providing assistance with medical expenses, rehab, mental health treatment and more. file of criminals in court Funding for the program is supposed to come from every convicted offender who is or will be able to pay. graphic $30 for a petty misdemeanor $55 for misdemeanor $105-$505 for a felony. From $30 for a petty misdemeanor up to $505 for a felony. Funding that is critical -- because it is matched by federal money. standup on BERT tape@17:30 But there has been a problem in recent years, in getting the courts to require the fee to be tacked on to all sentences. 2:55 this is the lowest year in a decade of revenue for the compensation fee, and that really jeopardizes our ability to ensure victims in the future that we will have enough money to pay for their crime related expenses graphic #2 last year the commission paid out nearly $780,000 on over 1100 compensation claims, but some years a million dollars might be needed for victims. And when they fall short... 6:23 "we've had to reduce the amount of payments in certain categories" file of workers/funeral footage compensation for lost wages has been cut, and funeral expenses for those killed in a violent crime has been reduced. nat@20:35 "hi paul, do you have that hearing notice on that restitution bill?" courtroom/judges footage The commission is pushing not only for judges to assess mandatory fees, but for the judiciary to make sure those fees are then collected. 11:15 "victims are often invisible in the criminal justice system and they need to move to the forefront" Paul Drewes KITV 4 news Honolulu police need your help in finding a missing

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